Using mouthwash is an impotant step to take every day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. But, a dentist has warned many people are using it in the wrong way.
Dr Shaadi Manouchehri, a London-based dental surgeon that has years of experience helping patients with their oral health, says there is a certain point in your day you should use mouthwash.
Dr Manouchehri has amassed a large following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, sharing tips from her dental office about maintaining strong and healthy smiles.
In her latest clip, she spoke about the importance of mouthwash as part of a good routine. However, lots of people are actually doing more harm than good to their teeth – even though they have the right intentions.
She said: “Rinsing with mouthwash after you’ve brushed your teeth is one of the worst things you can do. It could be the reason why you’ve had cavities and every time you go to the dentist your bills are really high.
“After you’ve brushed your teeth, spit and avoid rinsing out. Leave that fluoride layer to do what it needs to do.
“It’s going to physically make your teeth stronger from within, reverse any cavities and actually kill off the bacteria that causes bad breath. If you’re rinsing with [mouthwash], it’s going to reverse all the good work of this [toothpaste].”
So, when exactly should you reach for the mouthwash? It might surprise you that you’re usual teeth cleaning routine needs to be flipped around with the dentist insisting you should use mouthwash first and then start brushing.
She explained: “Use [mouthwash] before brushing to loosen any particles or at a different time in the day – for example when you’ve had tea, coffee or lunch. This is the right thing to do – not brushing.”
Dr Manouchehri shared that brushing right after food could lead to wearing away your enamel making a handy swill of mouthwash a “good alternative”.
The dentist with almost a decade of experience didn’t have a specific brand of mouthwash to recommend, adding that people should use any preferred flavour. She did have one thing to look out for though and that was making an alcohol free choice.
She said: “The alcohol can dry out the mouth and be damaging in the long term. Also, if you’re going to use a fluoride mouthwash, that is good but it’s no replacement for fluoride toothpaste because fluoride toothpaste has three times the amount of fluoride compared to mouthwash.”
Fluoride is often talked about regarding oral health, but what is it? Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in water, and its levels can differ based on your location in the UK.
It plays a key role in preventing tooth decay, which is why many toothpaste brands include it. In certain regions, fluoride is introduced into the water supply through a method known as fluoridation.
Brushing your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay – a major health concern worldwide. Decay can lead to cavities or, in extreme cases where the damage is too far gone, extraction of teeth.
